Panettone is a beloved Italian Christmas bread and Italian Christmas tradition. A tall, dome shaped sweet bread that's as beautiful to look at as it is delicious. Made with a rich, buttery dough studded with dried fruits like raisins and candied fruit and a kiss of citrus.Try my other Italian Christmas dessert recipes like Pitta Mpigliata, Calabrese Scalille, Turdilli with Honey or recipe for Almond Brittle with Honey.
Prepare a panettone pan by greasing it. If you are not using a panettone pan, use a cake pan. Start by greasing and flouring the sides of the pan. Then place parchment paper on the bottom. I used a 6" cake pan that was 2" high. Cut a piece of parchment paper the size of the circumference of the pan, fold it over so that it is double strength, then wrap it around the outside of the pan. Use a stapler to staple the ends that meet on the top and the bottom. Tie a piece of twine to keep the paper from sliding up as the dough rises and cooks.
flour and butter for greasing
Place warm water in a small bowl and add the yeast and 1 tsp of the sugar. Mix well and set aside.
4 tbsp warm water, ½ cup sugar, 1 tbsp dried yeast
In a small bowl, beat the remaining sugar and butter with a mixer until well combined. Add vanilla extract.
1 cup butter, 2 tsp vanilla extract
Add eggs one at a time. The mixture may get clumpy, don't worry!
5 eggs
Add lemon and orange zest and start to incorporate the salt and flour a little at a time. Once the mixture becomes dough like, turn it out onto a surface and knead in remaining flour. Knead for about 5 minutes.
Place the dough into an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 2 hours or until doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, place the rum in a small pot with raising and heat up to a simmer. Once the raisins absorb the rum and get plump, remove from stove top and set aside.
¾ cup raisins, 3 tbsp rum
Turn the dough out again onto a lightly floured surface and start to incorporate the raisins. Continue kneading the dough until all the raisins have been used. Roll into a ball and place into prepared panettone pan. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 350℉. Brush the top of the panettone with egg white being careful not to use too much. If it drips down the pan, wipe it so that it does not drip in your oven. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Test doneness with a long skewer.If the top start to get dark, cover with aluminum foil.
1 egg white
Let cool for 3 to 4 hours before dusting and slicing. Cover with plastic wrap to keep fresh.
icing sugar
Notes
Top Tips
Allow plenty of rising time if possible.Use a panettone mold or make your own using parchment paper, string and a stapler.Don't rush the kneading; the dough should be elastic and smooth.Cover with foil if the top starts to get too dark during the baking process.
Make Your Own Panettone Pan with Every Day Items
Just because you don't have a panettone pan doesn't mean you can't make panettone at home.Here's how I transformed a 6" cake pan 2" high into a panettone mold:
Start by greasing and flouring the sides of a cake pan. Then place parchment paper on the bottom of the pan.
Cut a piece of parchment paper the size of the circumference of the pan, fold it over so that it is double strength, then wrap it around the outside of the pan.
Use a stapler to staple the ends that meet on the top and the bottom.
Tie a piece of twine to keep the paper from sliding up as the dough rises and cooks.